Ajoni LCDA Chairman, Prince Ogungbemi extols our fallen heroes.

Ajoni LCDA Chairman, Prince Ogungbemi extols our fallen heroes.

....As he lays wreaths at the cenotaphs.

Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration is a solemn occasion that honors the sacrifices made by members of the military. 

During this year celebration held at Ikole Ekiti, the Chairman of Ajoni LCDA, Hon. Prince (Amb.) Michael Ogungbemi upon his arrival at the venue of the occasion inspected a guard of honour mounted by the legion. 

The Chairman later laid wreaths at the cenotaphs as a sign of respect and remembrance for the fallen heros who served and sacrificed their lives to defend the sovereignty of our country. 

This act serves as a poignant symbol of the nation's appreciation for the dedication and bravery of its armed forces. It's a moment to reflect on the sacrifices made and to express gratitude for the selflessness and courage exhibited by those who have served in the military.

Pro-Wike commissioners face fresh screening to rejoin Fubara’s cabinet.

Pro-Wike commissioners face fresh screening to rejoin Fubara’s cabinet.

The Rivers State House of Assembly, on Monday, invited nine former commissioners who resigned from the cabinet of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, for fresh screening as commissioners.

The commissioners resigned in the heat of the crisis between Fubara and his predecessor and estranged political godfather, Nyesom Wike.

A good number of them previously served in Wike’s cabinet and retained the same positions or portfolios in Fubara’s cabinet.

Their invitation for fresh screening was contained in a public announcement signed by the Clark of the Assembly, Emeka Amadi, sighted by our correspondent on Monday.

The recall of the commissioners was part of the eight-point resolution reached at a mediation meeting in Abuja headed by President Bola Tinubu.

As part of peace moves, Fubara was directed to reappoint the pro-Wike commissioners who resigned from his cabinet.

Of the nine nominees seven served under Wike as commissioners, while Emeka Woke, who was Chief of Staff to Wike, was the Commissioner for Special Duties to Fubara, before his resignation.

Dr Gift Worlu, though a staunch supporter of Wike, held no position during the latter’s reign, but was appointed Commissioner for Housing by Fubara, and resigned along with the others loyal to Wike.

The letter from the Assembly Clark read: “The Rivers State House of Assembly hereby invites the following commissioner-nominees for screening and confirmation as members of the Rivers State Executive Council.

“Zacchaeus Adangor (SAN), Dr. Jacobson Mbina,  Dr. Gift Worlu, Mrs Inime Chinwenwo- Aguma, Engr. Chukwuemeka Woke, Prof. Prince Chinedu Mmom, Dr. George Des-Kelly, Hon. Isaac Kamalu, and Engr. Austin Chioma.”

They were asked to present themselves before the Assembly at 10 am on  Wednesday, January 17, 2024.

“Nominees are to come along with 40 sets of curriculum vitae, photocopies of their credentials and their originals,” the public announcement added.

Efforts to reach the state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Joseph Johnson, for comments, were unsuccessful as he did not pick up calls put across to his mobile line by our correspondent.

He had also yet to reply to a text message sent to him as of the time of filing this report on Monday morning.

It was reported that the lawmakers also, last week, called on Fubara to present the 2024 budget afresh.

The governor earlier presented the budget to the faction of the Assembly loyal to him and subsequently signed the budget into law.

However, following Tinubu’s intervention, it was resolved that Fubara would present the budget approval to get the legislature’s approval.

Everton, Forest charged with financial breaches.

Everton, Forest charged with financial breaches.

The Premier League has charged Everton and Nottingham Forest with breaching its financial rules.

Both clubs have been referred to an independent commission for alleged breaches of profit and sustainability rules in their accounts for 2022-23.

Under Premier League regulations, clubs can lose a maximum of £105m over a three-season period, or £35m per campaign, before facing sanctions.

Clubs that breach those rules are at risk of a fine or a points deduction.

Everton are currently appealing against a 10-point deduction from a previous charge.

The Premier League said in a statement that Everton and Nottingham Forest “have each confirmed that they are in breach of the league’s profitability and sustainability rules”.

It added: “This is as a result of sustaining losses above the permitted thresholds for the assessment period ending season 2022-23

“In accordance with Premier League rules, both cases have now been referred to the chair of the judicial panel, who will appoint separate commissions to determine the appropriate sanction.”

Clubs are in breach of profit and sustainability rules (PSR) if their calculation over the relevant period results in a loss in excess of £105m, although that threshold is reduced by £22m for each season a club spends in the Championship over the course of that relevant period.

Nottingham Forest spent two seasons in the Championship within the three-year assessment period, meaning the maximum loss for the club is £61m.

Clubs had to submit their accounts for 2022-23 by 31 December under new rules designed to speed up the reporting process and ensure any penalties were imposed during a season when the alleged transgression took place.

The Premier League had 14 days from the reporting date to inform clubs whether they were in breach or not.

Everton are 17th in the Premier League table and sit just one point above Luton Town, who are in the relegation zone having played a game more, while Nottingham Forest are four points clear of the drop zone in 15th.

First Lady tasks security agencies to curb kidnapping, other forms of insecurity.

First Lady tasks security agencies to curb kidnapping, other forms of insecurity.

First Lady Oluremi Tinubu has called on security agencies to step up their game in the task of ridding the country of the menace of kidnapping and other forms of insecurity.

First Lady Tinubu made the call in a statement she personally authored on Monday, January 15, in reaction to the kidnap of Alhaji Mansoor Al-Kadriyar, his six children and others from Bwari council area last Tuesday.

Between Tuesday when the kidnap occurred and today, Monday, the kidnappers have killed not less than four of their victims and moved demanded ransom from N60 million to N700 million.

However, the First Lady, in her statement, expressed sadness over the development and called for prayers for the victims.

“It is with a heavy heart that I acknowledge the devastating loss of Nabeeha and extend my deepest condolences to her grieving family. 

“In difficult moments like this, I urge the nation to join in fervent prayers for the safe return of these girls. Let us hold the families close to our hearts in prayers. 

“I implore our security agencies to intensify their efforts in addressing the pressing matter of kidnappings and insecurity in our nation. The safety and swift return of the Al-Kadriyar sisters and others in captivity should be our paramount concern. 

“To the parents, especially mothers, I appeal for intensified prayers for our children and for peace to prevail in our beloved country. 

May the Almighty God comfort the Al-Kadriyar family for their loss and may God bring the other children back home safely. God Bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria”, the statement said.

Oyetola, Aregbesola will soon work together, says Akande.

Oyetola, Aregbesola will soon work together, says Akande.

The first interim National Chairman of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), Chief Bisi Akande, has assured Nigerians that Marine and Blue Economy Minister Adegboyega Oyetola and ex-Interior Minister Rauf Aregbesola will soon end their differences and work together.

Akande, who turns 85 years today, recalled that he risked his life to end the bickering between the two political gladiators during the COVID-19 in 2020.

According to him, the reconciliatory meeting, which was witnessed by Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, yielded no results.

Akande gave the assurance while featuring on a Yoruba political programme, Oro Oselu, on a private radio station, Rave FM, in Osogbo, the Osun State capital.

The former Osun governor said the dispute between the duo would not last.

“Both Oyetola and Aregbesola are my children. They will be calm and patient. They will be happy like me. No single person can build or destroy the politics of Osun State.

“But I am sure that character determines friendship. I am sure that the animosity between them will grow weak. The one who is aggrieved will be appeased. In no distance time, they will work together.

“In 2020, they brought the fight before me and I tried my best. When it went bad, I risked my life to reconcile them. I got to know about their fight during COVID-19.

“I was surprised. I called them for a meeting and they ended the fighting in my presence but still continued with it after they left. I discovered that their followers were angry. I started calling them federal constituencies by constituencies to meet with stakeholders. I set up committees. This was during COVID-19.

“I am old. If I contract the virus, the chances of me surviving were slim, but for these people have high chances of surviving it. I risked my life to reconcile them…”

Mining operations: Fed Govt seeks to minimise impact on environment.

Mining operations: Fed Govt seeks to minimise impact on environment.

The Federal Ministries of Solid Minerals Development and Environment are strengthening collaboration to ensure that mining operations in the country have minimal adverse impact on the environment, in line with international best practices.

Speaking in his office in Abuja while hosting the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, reiterated the commitment of the Federal Government to securing mining areas.

The minister also said the government would remove impediments to seamless operations and ensure that mining processes conform to global standards of negligible harmful impact on the environment.

A statement yesterday in Abuja by Alake’s Special Assistant on Media, Segun Tomori, said Lawal noted that issues around security at mining sites and the need to protect the environment from degradation as a result of mining operations dominated deliberations with his host.

“Recently, the minister (of Solid Minerals Development) launched a solid minerals roadmap, which I think took care of the issue of the environment. This is because whenever there is mining, the environment will be affected one way or the other.

“So, we are working very closely to see that whatever is being done will be within the limit of tolerable impact on the environment,” he said.

Also, the Federal Government has said it now depends on the solid minerals and metals sector for the country’s economic prosperity.

It said this is because fossil fuel was gradually being phased out with the advent of electric cars.

The government noted that the country might not get buyers for its fuel in a few years as its use was being reduced in many parts of the world.

The Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Mary Ogbe, said this yesterday in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, at the fifth National Council on Mining and Mineral Resources Development (NCMMRD) meeting.

She said: “The nation is depending on the solid mineral and metal sector for its economic prosperity for two reasons.

“Fossil fuel is gradually being phased out with the advent of electric cars. In China today, 30 per cent of their vehicles is electrically powered.

“So, in a matter of few years from now, we may not get buyers for our fuel. So, to you and I, who have the mandate at this point to make the solid minerals sector generate prosperity for our people, please, let us do so.

“Secondly, the world is going green and we must not be left behind. For us, we are highly blessed with the energy minerals as well. This edition of the National Council on Mining and Mineral Resources Development provides us with an invaluable platform to deliberate on key issues affecting the sector and chart a way forward.”

“Our agenda for today includes discussions on policy reforms, investment opportunities, community engagement, environmental sustainability, and fostering innovation in the sector.”

Sanwo-Olu signs N2.267tr Appropriation Bill.

Sanwo-Olu signs N2.267tr Appropriation Bill.

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has assented to the 2024 Appropriation Bill. 

The governor on December 13, 2023 presented a N2.2 trillion ‘Budget of Renewal’ to the House of Assembly. 

The House, however, increased the total budget size to N2.267 trillion, with N1.315 trillion allocated to capital expenditure and N952 billion allocated to recurrent expenditure. This represents a ratio of 58:42.

Sanwo-Olu, after signing the budget, said: “The approved budget size is N21.743 billion higher than what was presented to the House of Assembly due to additional provisions to enforce completion of ongoing projects. 

“The impact of this appropriation law will be determined by the effectiveness of its implementation. We are determined to ensure that the goals and objectives of this budget are maximally realised for the benefit of all Lagosians and in line with our THEMES+ development agenda. We will work assiduously to ensure the completion of ongoing projects and ensure the effective take off of new ones.

“Let me reiterate the importance of everyone playing their roles in the successful implementation of this budget, especially the commitment of citizens to discharging their civic obligations as and when due. As a government, we will continue to be guided by the highest standards of transparency and accountability in the management of resources put in our care.

“I thank the Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, and all members for their cooperation and commitment, which ensured the expeditious consideration and passage of the budget.”

Present at the signing ceremony were Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat, Secretary to the State Government Mrs. Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, members of the State Executive Council and members of the House of Assembly led by Deputy Speaker Mrs. Mojisola Meranda.